Camden magazine March 2018 by Camden Council

Camden Camden this month

Your guide to council services | March 2018 | camden.gov.uk

Working together for Camden Your views have helped shape a new community vision for our borough @camdentalking

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Camden this month Two local events were held to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in January. See page nine.

Our beautiful new ceremony suites will open at Tavistock House this summer. See page 23.

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Find out how you can get involved in our Clean Air for Camden campaign. See page 27.

Camden Learning has been launched to further raise educational standards. See page 19.

27 Welcome

Introduction from the Leader of the Council

camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk

@camdentalking

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Camden 2025 launched

News The Camden magazine is distributed free to all homes in Camden to give you information about our services. It costs 15 pence a copy to produce, and is printed on paper that is 50% recycled and 50% from sustainable sources. Cover image: Slater King

Published by Camden Council Editorial, advertising and distribution: Communications team, Camden Council, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE 020 7974 5717 Distribution from 6 March 2018

You can request your copy of the Camden magazine in large print, audio format or in another language by phoning 020 7974 5717. 2

Council tax information Council Tax Reduction Scheme Youth MP Election Holocaust Memorial Day London Borough of Culture latest Caring for Camden’s trees Grounds maintenance update Camden Elections Hawley Primary School opens Apprenticeship Week Improving sexual health services Keeping young people safe

Ahead of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating Camden’s women in sport. See page 30.

Features

Cover story camden.gov.uk

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These young people are among the 16 candidates hoping to become our next Youth MP. See page eight.

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6-7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 13

Helping rough sleepers 14 Camden 2025 special 15-18 Camden Learning launched 19 Maiden Lane update 20-21 Camden Can Pledge 22 Registration services are moving 23 Waste and recycling 24-25 West End Project 26 Clean Air for Camden 27 Celebrating women in sport 30 My Camden – Mary Burd, Age UK Camden 31

Listings Free and low-cost events

We support Camden’s European citizens 24,000 residents born in an EU state

Welcome

to the March edition of Camden magazine

36,000 EU workers in Camden

Camden’s European citizens can get useful information on democratic rights, access to speedy document checks for citizenship, along with other guidance about Brexit at camden.gov.uk/europe

I begin this edition of the Camden magazine by addressing the tragic news that two young men were fatally stabbed in Camden last month in two separate incidents. I am sure that you, like me, were shocked and saddened to hear that two young lives were needlessly lost.

The home you want may be just around the corner Mutual Exchange Event Wednesday 28 March 2018, 3pm to 7pm Camden Centre Camden Town Hall Judd Street WC1H 9JE

Are you a social housing tenant and want to increase your chances of moving home by swapping? Please come to our Mutual Exchange event where you can meet other tenants who want to swap their homes, whether you are looking to downsize, upsize or just change location. This event is being put together by Camden Council and Islington Council as a joint effort to increase your chances of a successful exchange. You can; Meet other residents looking to move Talk to a range of officers who deal with housing issues and find out about other schemes. Please call us on 020 7974 3035 or 020 7974 5825 to register your interest, or send an email to mx@camden.gov.uk stating your full name, number of bedrooms you have and number of bedrooms you are eligible for.

I want to reassure everyone in Camden that keeping our young people safe, and working together to tackle the long-term causes of youth violence is our absolute priority. We recently set up our Youth Safety Taskforce, which will examine patterns of youth crime in Camden, assess the provision of youth services – in which we still invest substantially – and see what we can learn from initiatives in other cities. We’ll be working with parents and carers, voluntary youth services, our local police and MPs, and investing in the support services young people need to help them thrive and reach their full potential. We have announced new investment in youth safety and four new rough sleeping hotspots teams to help keep our communities safe. You can read more about youth safety on page 13 and about the Community Hotspot Team on page 14. Partnership working is something that’s at the forefront of Camden 2025, our community-led vision for the borough. We’ve talked to thousands of you and heard your views on what we all need to do to make our borough a fairer,

better place to live. There is a lot we love about Camden. We value the borough’s energy, creativity, diversity and spirit. People who live here care about each other and the community.

we have left is invested where it makes the most difference. We have protected libraries, youth provision, community centres and support for the children and older people who need it most.

But we are worried that housing is becoming more and more expensive and children growing up in Camden can’t afford to make their lives here. We are deeply concerned about walking past people sleeping on the streets and the number of people without secure homes. We don’t like that crime is going up, and many of us don’t feel as safe on the streets as we would like. We want to see a greener borough where we don’t worry about breathing polluted air. And we want our young people to grow up safely with access to all the opportunities Camden has to offer.

We are, however, facing rising demand for services as budget cuts continue. The majority of the council tax increase will be used to protect adult social care services such as support to help frail older people, those with dementia, mental health issues and disabilities to live a full life as part of our community.

We’ll formally launch Camden 2025 later this month. It sets out our community vision for the borough, how we can work together to protect what is special about Camden and make sure no one is left behind. Turn to the centre pages, or read more online. Also in this issue of Camden magazine, you can read about the difficult decision the council took to raise council tax by 4.99%. Over the last four years we have tried to keep council tax as low as possible, while working to protect vital front line services. Between 2010 and 2019 our funding from government will have reduced by nearly half. We have worked with residents to make sure the money

This month, I’ll write to every household in the borough to tell you about the increase and explain some of the pressures we are facing, and how we’re trying to help our lowest income households and care leavers under the age of 25. Turn to page six to see where our money comes from, and how we spend it. Public services are under extreme pressure, but we are determined to work with you to protect them. As spring approaches, there’s plenty to look forward to. I hope you take the opportunity to get out and about in the borough as the weather improves, and find out what’s on offer in your community.

Councillor Georgia Gould Leader of the Council 5

Council tax special

Protecting vital services leaves no alternative but to increase council tax

Residents’ council tax £104.5m (12%) Retained business rates £120m (14%) ents, fees and R other income £182m (22%)

Government funding makes up 52% of our income. Much of this income is restricted meaning it has to be spent according to government rules - and is being cut.

Employment and economic development £4.5 million

Parking, highways and transport £15.4 million

Regeneration and planning £8.3 million

Customer service £6.8 million

Public health £23.7 million

Streets, safety, leisure and open spaces £84.7 million

Voluntary sector organisations £5.4 million

Total spending 2018/19: £842.3 million

Libraries, sports, arts and tourism £5.1 million Waste and cleaning services £31.2 million Young people £7.3 million

Central government cuts Due to funding cuts from central government and rising costs: From 2011 to 2019 we have had to reduce our budget by £169 million.

We will need to find another £40 million in savings by 2022.

250

Since 2010 government funding for Camden services has been cut by 49%.

200 150

Supporting vulnerable families £42.1 million Support for schools £14.7 million High needs pupils £38.5 million

100

Secondary schools £65.6 million

50 0

Early years £32.6 million

10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 Financial year

a 2% precept to fund adult social care services. Demand for adult social care continues to grow, with the number of people in Camden aged 75 or

over increasing by 30% between 2013 and 2023, and those aged 90 or over rising by over 50%. We also face growing pressures in other service areas.

Children, schools and families £272 million

But despite our innovation and savings we require more funds to protect the valued services that we provide for you, and particularly the most vulnerable in society. That is why the decision to increase council tax was taken by Full Council on 26 February, with the increase made up of a 2.99% rise in core council tax and

Government funding £435.8m (52%)

Council tax contributes less than £1 out of every £8 of our income.

Sustainability and green spaces £3.2 million

Primary schools £71.2 million

Restricted: £382.9m £9 out of every £20 we have has to be spent according to government rules.

Controllable: £459.4m We can decide how this is spent.

Other costs £49.3 million Government benefit payments and services £192.9 million

Capital spend funded from revenue £11.7 million

Cost of borrowing £2.9 million

Levies, insurance and council priorities £6.4 million

Pensions backfunding £16 million

Reserves £12.3 million

Support services £52.8 million

To deal with this, we have tried innovative ways of working. Over the last four years we have kept council tax as low as possible while working to protect vital front-line services, despite facing £76 million of cuts. We’ve continued to invest in valued public services including libraries, youth services and support for our most vulnerable children and adults. And through our Community Investment Programme we are redeveloping property that is expensive to maintain, underused or difficult to access, and investing £1 billion of proceeds in Camden by 2025, focusing on council homes and schools.

Total income 2018/19: £842.3 million

£ millions

Between 2010 and 2019, the government will have reduced our funding for services by half as part of its spending reduction programme. They have also reduced capital grants used to invest in building much-needed infrastructure such as council homes, schools and community facilities.

Where Camden Council’s money comes from

Community safety £4.8 million

Vulnerable adults and older people £166.9 million

Council tax in Camden will rise by 4.99% from April 2018, an increase of £1.09 a week for a Band D property.

How Camden Council spends its budget Older adults £47.4 million Adults £26.6 million Mental health £20.1 million Learning disability £24.8 million Preventing homelessness and support to homeless households £32.4 million Passenger transport service promoting mobility for older and disabled residents £15.6 million

Corporate finance, procurement and internal audit £7.3 million

IT £10.3 million Legal services £4.5 million

Strategy, human resources and member support £11.6 million

Property £19.1 million

News

Council Tax Reduction Scheme making council tax fairer

Power of words evoked for Holocaust Memorial Day

Contributing to our goal of reducing child poverty in the borough, our Council Tax Reduction Scheme is providing financial assistance to some of our lowest income households.

the age of 25, in order to give them the best possible start in life.

The power of words was the theme for two moving and thought-provoking events held in Camden to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

If you think you are eligible for support paying your bill, or if you want to organise a flexible payment plan based on your circumstances, visit the web link below or phone Contact Camden, and we will do what we can to help.

The work of poet, author and concentration camp survivor Gerty Spies, who died in Munich aged 100, was evoked at an event hosted by the Wiener Library archive, in Russell Square.

This year the scheme will reduce council tax for 22,000 households, with 16,500 of those exempt from paying any council tax altogether. We are able to do this by Find out more

redistributing the extra council tax gathered from new homes built in the borough and charging higher rates of council tax on all longterm empty properties. Our scheme is also benefiting foster carers in the borough, who are exempt from paying council tax. And we are introducing exemptions for all current and future Camden care leavers, until

camden.gov.uk/counciltax

Contact Camden 020 7974 4444

Young people vote in Youth MP Election Sixteen young people are launching their campaigns to become Camden’s next Youth MP. Eleven girls and five boys, aged 13 to 17, are standing as candidates. They will speak at a hustings event at the town hall on 13 March before voting begins on 19 March. All 11 to 19-year-olds who live in Camden, go to a local school or college, or work in the borough, are eligible to vote from 19 to 29 March. The new Youth MP and two new Deputy Youth MPs will be the voice for Camden young people Find out more 8

over the next two years. As well as putting forward the interests of Camden youth in local decisionmaking, they will have a national role as members of the UK Youth Parliament.

Unlike Gerty, Bea never returned to Germany, and she became a British citizen. At the event on 25 January, Bea recalled her father being badly beaten by Hitler’s SA, or ‘brown shirts’, and then forced to walk barefoot through the streets of Munich because he was Jewish. After escaping to the UK, Bea was determined to master the English language and discovered a love for it, which led to her becoming a translator. Find out more

They will also work closely with Camden Youth Council, helping to organise or speak at events such as Shout Out. You can find out more about the candidates and how to vote for them by visiting our website below

Organised jointly by the council and the Wiener Library, it featured readings of Gerty’s poems and a talk from a translator of her work, 92-year-old Bea Green, who escaped to the UK from Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport when she was 14.

– or look out for details in your school or youth centre.

camden.gov.uk/youthcouncil #CamdenYouthMPelections

(Left to right) Wiener Library Director Ben Barkow, Rabbi Shlomo Levin, Deputy Youth MP Saba Asif, translator Bea Green, Mayor Cllr Richard Cotton, and Wiener Library Head of Digital Dr Toby Simpson

Other speakers at the event included Camden’s Deputy Youth MP, Saba Asif, who read two of Gerty’s poems in English. The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Richard Cotton, told guests: “Words can make a difference both for good and evil. Once you call people ‘vermin’ and ‘lice’, as the Nazis called the Jews, it becomes much easier to murder them. We all have a responsibility to ensure our society remains a tolerant one

wienerlibrary.co.uk

based on mutual respect.” On 22 January the Jewish Museum, in Albert Street, also held a joint event with the council to commemorate the Holocaust. Bernd Koschland shared his moving story of living under Nazi rule and escaping on the Kindertransport. At the end of each event, a commemorative candle was lit and guests were invited to take a few moments for quiet reflection on the lessons of the Holocaust.

jewishmuseum.org.uk

Camden’s bid for London Borough of Culture On the day that this edition of Camden magazine went to print, we were awaiting the outcome of the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture competition. Although we were disappointed not to be named Borough of Culture, we’re delighted to have won funding for a special project called Camden Alive. Animated trails, digital technology and augmented reality will bring the stories of residents of 12 housing estates in Camden to life. The project is led by the British Museum, Central Saint Martins, the Roundhouse and augmented reality app Blippar. Keep an eye out for further information in the May edition of Camden magazine. lovecamden.org/camden-is 9

News

Caring for Camden’s trees Planting trees has a wealth of benefits. We’re committed to planting more and welcome your help to look after them. The trees across Camden help people stay healthy, provide habitat for wildlife and enhance the character of the borough. We have a tree planting programme with a target of planting 400 trees each year. Find out more

In recent years we have exceeded this target, planting an average of 522 annually. You can to help care for the new trees we plant by watering them, especially in hot dry summers. Look out for the ‘please help water me’ labels on tree stakes. We select trees that are suitable for each location, and make sure we have a diversity of species overall. This ensures we have a healthy tree population,

Hawley Primary School officially opens Hawley Primary School’s new building has been officially opened. We aim to plant 400 trees in Camden each year

increased canopy cover and the many benefits trees bring to our environment. Once young trees are established, they are maintained on a three year cycle to help them flourish.

The new primary school, in Hawley Road, is an ‘all-through’ primary school for up to 210

camden.gov.uk/trees

Keeping our green spaces thriving Green spaces help to improve quality of life. We manage nearly 70 parks and open spaces in Camden. Following feedback from residents, we began a new grounds maintenance contract in April 2017. This made some important changes to how we look after your green spaces. We have introduced a more sustainable maintenance approach in parks, which is better for the environment and provides opportunities for wildlife to thrive. This includes replacing high-cost, low-value plants with

more sustainable and biodiverse schemes, including colourful wildflower meadows to provide a habitat for a host of insects. It also includes reducing the mowing in some areas to create natural spaces, while reducing energy consumption and costs. We have also increased the number of horticulturalists working in our green spaces, who bring a wealth of practical experience and plant knowledge. They have improved the standards of horticultural management on many of our housing estates, while also supporting residents with their own gardening projects.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/parks groundsmaintenance@camden.gov.uk 10

The modern, larger building replaces Hawley Infants School, which was based at its former Camden Town site for more than 100 years. The infants school had outgrown its previous site, with no space for expansion and no linked junior school for pupils to attend once they reached aged seven.

Find out more

pupils, with a 26-place nursery. It currently has 176 children up to age nine and these pupils, who would previously have had to go to a new school when they turned seven, will now be able to stay on at Hawley until age 11. Headteacher Anne Fontaine said: “Our older pupils are enjoying being in Year 4 now and they will be our first Year 6 class. It is lovely to be growing into an all-through primary school and seeing the children progress with us instead of leaving at age seven.” The new building, built by Hawley Wharf developer LabTech as part of a section 106 planning

Council Leader Georgia Gould and Hawley headteacher Anne Fontaine

agreement, was officially opened by Councillor Gould on 17 January 2018. It first opened for pupils in November 2016.

www.hawley.camden.sch.uk

A foot on the career ladder Camden Elections Local government elections will take place in Camden on Thursday 3 May. All British, Commonwealth and European citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to vote. Make sure you register before the deadline on Tuesday 17 April.

If you’ve got ambition but need more work experience, a Camden Apprenticeship is a great way to start your career. The Camden Apprenticeships scheme is available to anyone living in the borough or who attended a local secondary school. An apprenticeship allows you to earn a salary, get work experience and complete a qualification at the same time. Camden Apprenticeships offers

Find out more camden.gov.uk/elections

Find out more

a wide range of roles, with great local employers including Exterion Media, the Francis Crick Institute, Wellcome Trust and the council. Apprenticeships are now open to all age groups, and about a fifth of the people recruited in Camden are aged 25 plus. Among them is Olu Ayinde who began as an apprentice training support officer with the council nearly two years ago and has now moved into our planning department. Olu, who lives in Gospel Oak, said: “After leaving school I was just

camden.gov.uk/apprenticeships

Olu Ayinde took a Camden Apprenticeship

going from one job to the other and it wasn’t leading anywhere – that’s when I decided to join Camden Apprenticeships. I’m finding my current role interesting and I’ve gained an NVQ level 3 in business administration.”

apprenticeships@camden.gov.uk 11

News

Improving sexual health services Sexual health services are changing. We are one of 32 councils across London who have worked together to transform and improve sexual health services for residents in Camden and beyond. In Camden, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) has been running its new services since July 2017. All residents now have access to our ‘one stop shop’ sexual health service, covering sexual health promotion, services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception. Clinics now have longer opening hours – including weekends – are conveniently located with good transport links Find the right clinic for you Mortimer Market Centre Capper Street WC1E 6JB Archway Centre 681-689 Holloway Road N19 5SE Services are also available from clinics at Crowndale and Gospel Oak Health Centres.

Find out more 12

We’re improving access to sexual health services

and work with other local services such as pharmacies and GPs. Online services As well as clinics, our services work alongside the new LondonResidents who attend the Royal Free HIV service will have access to regular STI screening and treatment through a specific clinic by CNWL at the Royal Free Hospital. The CNWL clinic hours are aligned with the HIV clinic. For more information, including opening times and how to book an appointment, visit the website below.

sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk

wide online sexual health service, which went live in February. This service is for people who do not have symptoms of a STI or other concerns that need to be seen in a clinic, but would like access to STI or HIV testing. You can order self-sampling kits that can be used at home. The service is free, confidential and discreet. The online service also offers further information on being assessed for STIs, as well as advice for those who need help or treatment following their test results. You can find more information about this service from the CNWL website.

Keeping young people safe is top priority The recent fatal stabbings of two young men in Camden is a sobering reminder of the importance of tackling youth violence. Our Youth Safety Taskforce was launched last December to understand the underlying causes of this problem and look at what more can be done to keep our young people safe. The taskforce, which is supported by the police and other local partners, is due to report its initial findings later this month (March). It has been working with parents and carers, young people, voluntary youth services,

other support services and local politicians. The taskforce is: • Examining patterns of youth offending and violence in Camden and across London, using the latest data and research. • S eeing what we can learn from initiatives in other cities about which interventions work best. • F inding out how it feels to be a young person in Camden and hearing from victims of youth violence and their families. Councillor Abdul Hai, the council’s Cabinet Member for Young People and Cohesion, and Holborn and St Pancras MP Keir Starmer are co-chairs of the Youth Safety Taskforce.

Camden talking

Community comments on social media. Even in rainy weather, our lovely volunteers still turn up and help us out in our gardens. Your continued support and commitment means a lot to us. #volunteering #charity #communities @CCA_Camden via Twitter

Our Kilburn Good Neighbours befriending scheme is shortlisted for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year! Our volunteers are wonderfully dedicated and it’s brilliant to have them recognised in this way. kilburngoodneighbours. org.uk @AbbeyCCnw6 via Twitter

Date for your diaries: Tuesday 13th March 2018, 12-2pm @ VCC HQ in Kentish Town, which will be our next drop-in for volunteers who need extra support to get started with finding their perfect volunteering role #lovevolunteering #camden #volunteer @VCCamden via Twitter

New FREE workshop programme for people with early-stage #dementia & #carers ‘A4D South Asian Dance with @Akademi’, Weds mornings 10.30am-12pm, 28 Feb-18 April @Arts4Dementia via Twitter

Aged 40-74? Got 20 mins to change your life? Book a free #NHS health check: @camden_ccg via Twitter

Join the conversation: Camden’s Youth Safety Taskforce is working to keep young people safe.

Find out more

camden.gov.uk/youthsafetytaskforce

facebook.com/lbcamden @camdentalking 13

Feature

Camden 2025 special

Tackling rough sleeping in Camden 127 people were sleeping rough on the streets of Camden in November. over the last few months has meant we have been able to help more people and give them the support they need to stay off the streets. We have recently confirmed that we will extend the pilot until April 2019, and create additional hotspots teams. This will make it possible for us to continue to support people off of the streets, and understand why they end up there in the first place.

The Camden Hotspot Team has been working directly with rough sleepers

In January, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) released their annual rough sleeping figures. The figures are based on a national street count carried out in November last year, which saw numbers rising, not only in Camden (an increase from an estimated 17 in 2016), but across the country. Helping rough sleepers and supporting them off our streets, and using enforcement to address any anti-social behaviour, drug activity and violence remains a priority for Camden. Find out more 14

We have invested in additional resources to work alongside our existing Safer Streets Team. The extra investment saw us launch an initial three-month pilot, creating the Camden Hotspot Team (CHT) who have been working directly with rough sleepers in Camden Town and nearby estates, the Euston corridor, Warren Street, Regent’s Park Estate and the West End. The CHT is made up of specialist outreach workers from the Safer Streets Team, the Council’s Community Presence Officers and police officers. Their focused work

camden.gov.uk/camdenhotspotteam

How you can help Download the StreetSafe app to report any concerns you have about someone sleeping on the street to the team. Find out more about the Safer Streets Team and download the app at camdensst.com Councillor Nadia Shah, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “Rough sleeping has no place in the 21st century. We will continue to confront this issue head-on by investing in specialist outreach services and working closely with partners to develop our ‘Routes off The Street’ approach to improve services, and using enforcement options only where services have been refused.”

Camden 2025

Your views have shaped a new community vision for the borough, which we can all work towards to make Camden a better place for everyone to live by 2025. Planning for the future of Camden Over the last few months, thousands of you got involved in conversations about what Camden should be like in 2025, and how the council, residents, community organisations, businesses and other partners can all play a part in getting there. To understand what is needed to make Camden a better place to live, we wanted to hear what you think is great about Camden now, and what needs improving. Find out more

You said that Camden has many strengths. So many of you are passionate about and feel a part of your local communities. Our central London location means Camden is a place with lots of opportunities for people who live, work or study here. We have many green spaces and iconic cultural venues on our doorsteps, which you want to protect. However, you also have real concerns about how we keep Camden’s identity in the face of challenges over the coming years,

and reduce inequality across the borough. You told us that we need to make Camden a safe, fair, creative and active place to live. Camden 2025 Your views and ideas are at the heart of the new community vision, which sets out five key ambitions for the borough that you want to be achieved by 2025, and what needs to happen to get there. Turn the page to read a summary of your five ambitions for 2025.

camden.gov.uk/camden2025 15

Camden 2025 special

In 2025, everyone in Camden should have a place they call home ❱ Whether renting or buying, homes should be affordable and secure. ❱ Homes should be safe, warm and free from damp. ❱ Homes should be accessible and flexible to meet people’s needs, whether that is someone growing older or a growing family. ❱ Nobody should be sleeping on the streets.

In 2025, growth in Camden should be strong and inclusive – everyone should be able to access the work that is right for them ❱ Jobs in Camden should pay what people need to live in the borough – to meet the costs of living, allow people to save for emergencies and plan for the future. ❱ People’s jobs should be flexible enough to support their wider commitments, whether that is caring for and supporting a family, learning and training, or contributing to their communities. ❱ Jobs should recognise and nurture the talents and skills of each individual, and give people

❱ Walking, cycling and public transport will be the best way to get around the borough.

❱ People should expect to learn for as long as they work. ❱ People should be paid the same for the same work.

❱ Camden’s voluntary and community sector will be resilient and responsive to residents’ needs, working with a range of partners to deliver innovative programmes that work closely with people to improve their lives.

❱ We need to make Camden the best place in London to do business, with the infrastructure that business needs to grow. ❱ Businesses and their employees should be part of our community and contribute to our vision for Camden in 2025.

❱ Building and development in

❱ We will be the most sustainable borough in London, recycling more of our waste, and working

❱ Our community spaces should encourage interaction and engagement between neighbours, and people with different experiences and backgrounds.

❱ People should be able to contribute to their communities in a range of ways and strongly shape the way public services are delivered – opportunities to do this are flexible and responsive to individual expertise and interests.

a path to development and progression.

the borough should contribute to making Camden open, accessible and attractive for everyone.

❱ No one in Camden should experience isolation, exclusion, harassment or violence as a result of disadvantage or prejudice.

❱ Domestic violence should have no place in Camden.

❱ Children should be given the best start in life, with the opportunity to develop all their capabilities.

In 2025, Camden should be a clean, vibrant and sustainable place ❱ No one in Camden should experience poor health as a result of the air they breathe.

In 2025, Camden should be safe, strong and open and everyone should be able to contribute to their community

with businesses to reduce the use of packaging and plastic. ❱ Our parks and open spaces will be exciting, welcoming and safe, providing places for people to exercise, and families and communities to gather.

In 2025, everyone in Camden should be able to live a healthy, independent life ❱ Everyone should know how to take charge of their own health and wellbeing, how to keep active and how to eat healthy food, and be encouraged to do so. ❱ Everyone should be able to access the services they need to keep themselves well. ❱ People living with mental ill-health should not feel shame or embarrassment. ❱ No one should be lonely or isolated – everyone should feel connected to their community and able to ask for help and support when they need it. ❱ Older and disabled people should be able to live independently for as long as possible. You can read the Camden 2025 vision in full on our website. 17

Camden 2025 special What happens next Community challenges You’ve told us that there are a number of key issues that we can only tackle if everyone in Camden works together. These include improving air quality, tackling social isolation, getting people more active, and creating opportunities for people of every age to progress and learn. Over the next few months, we’ll be bringing people together to explore these issues, try out new ways of doing things, and finding a way forward.

Tackling social isolation and loneliness As a first step we are holding a workshop in partnership with Central Saint Martins this month to focus on the issue of social isolation and loneliness. The workshop will bring together experts in this field, local organisations and residents to look at how we can all work to build a sense of belonging, and create stronger links between communities to reduce social isolation.

Feature Find out more about Camden 2025 and how you can get involved in our community challenges on our website. This is just the start of the journey to 2025. Camden 2025 aims to make Camden a better borough – a place where everyone has a chance to succeed, where nobody gets left behind and where everybody has a voice. Everyone has a part to play in helping to get there, and we are excited about what can be achieved by working together in the months and years to come.

Helping Camden’s schools to be top class Camden schools can draw on expertise from each other and a new not-for-profit company, called Camden Learning, to help further raise standards. Chair of Camden Learning, Christine Gilbert CBE, said: “As an independent, schools-led organisation we are able to draw on a pool of skills and experience within our members, for the benefit of all. We will also work with a range of partners, whether that be the council, universities, businesses, community organisations, or seeking out the best educational practice from around the world, in order to deliver the best possible education to Camden’s young people.”

Our Camden Plan The council has a new plan for how we, as an organisation, can play our part in achieving the ambitions set out in Camden 2025. This includes opening up the council so that all residents can have a say, bringing people together to get things done, making sure we deliver all our services well, time after time, and making sure that Camden builds on

the innovation and creativity it is known for. This is our response to Camden 2025 – we hope other organisations will develop their own ideas for how they will work towards the ambitions for the borough. You can read Our Camden Plan on our website.

The Burghley Blues Breakers perform at the Camden Learning launch event

Camden Learning is an independent not-for-profit company, set up by Camden Council and all Camden state schools, to build on the strong collaborative work that has always existed within the ‘Camden family of schools’. The company delivers expert support for schools by schools, maximising the knowledge and skills of partner schools and their staff to share best practice and improve learning and outcomes for all pupils. This is in addition to offering bespoke school improvement services.

Find out more 18

camden.gov.uk/camden2025

Find out more

A sharp focus on the quality of teaching and development will not only benefit pupils, but will inspire staff, improve retention and also help attract the best talent into Camden. At an event held on 6 February at the Francis Crick Institute, schools, education leaders, councillors and members of the community gathered to hear details of the vision and plans for Camden Learning, as well as viewing some of the inspirational activities already happening in our schools.

Councillor Angela Mason CBE, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life, who also sits on the Camden Learning Board, said: “Camden Learning builds on years of partnership work and futureproofs a way in which the Camden family of schools can work together to support each other and all Camden pupils.”

Cllr Angela Mason CBE at the launch

camdenlearning.org.uk 19

Feature

Celebrating the community built as part of the project, the rejuvenated estate now has new open spaces, table tennis tables and a playground where families can get out and get active.

There are 273 new homes on the Maiden Lane estate

Residents at Maiden Lane came together to celebrate the newlyimproved estate.

Investment Programme, an ambitious plan to invest over £1 billion in schools, homes and community facilities across the borough.

Over the years, both King’s Cross and Maiden Lane have experienced difficult periods with crime and buildings on the estate falling into disrepair. Despite all of this, Maiden Lane has always retained a strong sense of community. The estate’s low-rise, high-density design, with street level entrances that encourage residents to get to know one another, has helped to foster the community spirit that makes Maiden Lane a place residents are proud to call home.

It was important to residents that any changes to the area preserve and benefit the closeknit community. Part of this was ensuring that the redevelopment continued the diversity and social mix that’s key to the character of the estate. Now that the works on Maiden Lane are finished, there are 74 new council homes and 52 genuinely affordable homes at ‘Camden Living’ rents. These rents are significantly below the cost of private rent in Camden to help teachers, nurses and others on middle incomes.

The redevelopment of Maiden Lane is part of our Community Find out more 20

In addition to the 273 new homes

cip.camden.gov.uk

Celebrating with the community On Saturday 20 January, families and friends from the iconic Maiden Lane estate shared lunch, followed by an afternoon of activities including inflatable ten-pin bowling, face painting and a go on the bouncy castle. The event also included speeches reflecting We caught up with residents during the event. Speaking about the future of the estate, she said: “It feels safer and more secure. Before it wasn’t so good for the children, especially the boys so I hope this will change now.”

The sale of new private homes has also paid for investment into the 443 existing council homes on the estate. We’ve installed new kitchens and bathrooms in many of these homes, and we’re making other refurbishments to return the estate back to its former glory. Investing in futures The investment extends beyond the boundary of Maiden Lane estate, bringing value to local schools and community facilities. Brecknock Primary is just one of the schools that has benefited from money generated through the Community Investment Programme. The school is in the catchment area of Maiden Lane, meaning children from the estate are able to benefit from improved teaching facilities and better learning opportunities provided through the revamp. By investing in the community at Maiden Lane, we’re investing in the future - making the estate a more pleasant place to live while empowering residents to grasp new opportunities.

upon the project, the community and the importance of council housing. Local residents then joined Councillor Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities, in unveiling a plaque to commemorate the day.

Boyele

Boyele Baambe Boyele Baambe has lived on Maiden Lane for 12 years and has just moved into one of the new homes. She told Camden magazine: “Before, it was difficult because we were in a two bedroom flat and I have seven children. It was very cramped. We’re now in a four bed and there’s so much more space for us – one of the cupboards is bigger than the rooms in our old flat! “In our old flat the kids kept asking to move. I said if we wanted to move we’d probably have to leave London but the kids said “no”. They love Maiden Lane; their school and their friends are here.”

Freweymi Mehari For a number of local families the Maiden Lane Community Centre is an essential facility, providing a range of activities for children and courses for adults, including free employment services and computer skills training. Freweymi Mehari, attending the fun day with her children, said: “My children have been coming here since they were young and always enjoy the different activities. Now they are a bit older they mainly come during the school holidays.”

Freweymi enjoyed a head massage

Cllr Beales hands Sadea her keys

Sadea Abdu Sadea Abdu has lived on Maiden Lane with her four children for 18 years and has just moved into one of the new homes. Her children attended Brecknock Primary, benefiting from the additional funding, as well as their new home on Maiden Lane. Sadea said: “It’s nice they didn’t have to change schools.” Of the rejuvenated estate, she said: “Before, we couldn’t believe how it was going to be, but to see the amazing buildings makes you feel like you are in the best part of London. It’s nice to have that kind of building on Maiden Lane. The space, the way they built it. Very nicely done.” 21

Feature

Making a pledge CAN to Camden CAMDEN

PLEDGE

Our registration services will move this summer

In November, we launched the Camden Can Pledge to help people stay a healthy weight in Camden. Here’s how you can get involved. The Camden Can Pledge is about asking employers, organisations, schools and businesses to sign up and help with small changes that make it easier to eat healthier food and get more active. The aim is to help people change what they eat by cutting down on fat, salt and sugar – and to help them be more active every day. The more organisations that commit to small changes such as offering tap water instead of fizzy drinks or making it easier for staff to cycle to work, the healthier people in Camden will be. Over to you Have you got favourite local cafés or restaurants? Do you work in Camden, or have children at one of our schools? Why not ask them to get involved? They can sign up to the Camden Can Pledge by choosing to do just two things to help people be more active or eat more healthily – there’s a list of suggestions on our website.

Find out more 22

An artists’ impression of the new Tavistock Suite

John Boyle and Concia Albert from SHAK

South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership (SHAK) didn’t delay in signing up. Director, John Boyle, says: “We signed up to the Camden Can Pledge because its aims are in line with important areas we work in. At SHAK we support local people to do things they might not have the confidence or means to do and to tackle social isolation. Our work is led by the needs of local residents.” Concia Albert, SHAK’s health and wellbeing worker, added: “Recently, SHAK’s work has included setting up healthy cooking groups. People told us that they were keen to find

camden.gov.uk/camdencanpledge

out about healthier cooking. What we’re doing is training local volunteers who can then run healthy cooking classes themselves. “We’re also running classes in our youth club, making things like smoothies to encourage healthy eating. We’ve just started gentle physical exercise groups for older people too. We often find that behind an immediate need for support in one area are other issues.” SHAK is based in South Hampstead and its courses are open to anyone in Camden. Find out more: shakonline.co.uk

Our 80-year-old town hall will close this summer until 2021 while it undergoes some much-needed refurbishment work. As a result, registration services will move into two new locations. As well as renovating the Mayor’s parlour, council chamber, committee rooms and public spaces, the proposed improvements at the town hall will include new ceremony rooms, along with refurbished spaces for registering births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships. Where will services relocate? The service will be provided across two sites. Birth and death registrations, duplicate certificate applications and citizenship ceremonies will move to the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD. There will also be the option to Find out more

hold civil ceremonies in the new committee rooms and council chamber in the Crowndale Centre. The remaining services will relocate to Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, WC1B 3NN into a newly renovated space. There will be two new ceremony suites for weddings, civil partnerships and renewal of vows and five new interview rooms. Services in this location include the nationality checking service, settlement checking service, nationality document return service, European passport return service and taking notices for marriages and civil partnerships.

camden.gov.uk/registrars

Our new ceremony venue We are currently renovating a space that’s perfect for weddings and civil ceremonies at Tavistock House. It will include two ceremony suites catering for wedding parties of different sizes and budgets. Each room will boast high specifications and contemporary features with a traditional twist, fit for unique weddings, civil partnerships and vow renewals. The venue will be available for ceremonies from summer 2018. Book via the website or contact our registrars team.

crs@camden.gov.uk 23

Feature

Recycle right

Keeping Camden clean

Around 85% of an average rubbish bin in Camden can be recycled but we only recycled 26.6% last year. Here’s how you can help to increase our recycling rate…

Our recycling rate is

26.6%

85%

Our teams sweep roads, parks and estates, clear graffiti, empty rubbish bins and tackle fly-tipping. Here’s a roundup of how we work to keep our communities clean. There are around 110,000 households in Camden.

You can recycle more than you think… Mixed paper and cardboard: newspapers, magazines, white paper, leaflets and flyers, envelopes. Tip: If you scrunch paper and it doesn’t spring back, then it can be recycled. Tip: paper is one of the most valuable recyclable materials – but only when it is clean. We can’t recycle paper or card that is stained or dirty with foods, grease, paint or dirt such as dirty pizza boxes. Cartons: drink cartons; juices, milk and food cartons such as soups. Tip: Laminated plastic food and drink pouches can’t be recycled. This includes baby food pouches, cat food pouches and coffee pouches. Please put these in your general rubbish. Tins, cans and foil: drinks cans, food tins, empty aerosols, jar lids, aluminum foil and foil trays. Tip: Please remember to empty and rinse items. You can leave labels on as our machines make sure these get removed.

Glass containers: bottles of any colour such as wine, beer, spirits. Jars including sauces, jam, baby food. Non-food bottles including perfume and aftershave. Tip: Don’t forget to empty and rinse these items. Mixed plastic: pots, tubs, trays and punnets, plastic bottles; all clear and coloured plastic bottles from around the home.

Each week, on average, we empty up to 370,000 recycling and rubbish containers from properties across Camden.

Tip: When recycling, remember to remove film lids from plastic pots, punnets and trays and make sure you squeeze plastic bottles flat to make as much room as possible. Don’t forget about your food waste - we collect it every week from your green or brown caddy. Use your lined food caddy to collect all of your cooked and uncooked food waste from scraps and peelings to leftovers and out-of-date items. These are just some of the most common items around your house. We don’t have space for the complete list – that’s how much there is around your house we can recycle. Find out more on our website: camden.gov.uk/recyclingandrubbish

We have 76 dedicated street sweepers who sweep 1,379 Camden streets, at least weekly. They work between 6am to 10pm to keep our streets litter free (we also have 14 street sweeping vehicles working between these times, too).

Our crews service 1,600 litter bins across Camden.

Find out more

50% of our operational fleet runs on non-diesel fuel; this includes 26-tonne compressed natural gas (CNG) recycling and rubbish trucks; CNG vans; fully electric vans and hybrid caged collection vehicles.

Help to play your part: We’re committed to keeping our communities clean, and we need you to play your part to help us… • Report dumped rubbish by downloading our Clean Camden App. • Recycle your bulky waste (such as furniture or white goods, including fridges and washing machines) by arranging a special collection. We’ll come and collect it for you – it’s £25 for 5 items – phone us on 020 3567 8105. You can also take it to the Recycling and Reuse Centre on Regis Road. • Remember that around 85% of your rubbish bin can be recycled, so help us keep this up. Visit our website for a full list of what you can and can’t recycle - or see the page opposite. Garden Waste Recycling Collection Sign up for the service at: gardenwaste.camdenwaste. co.uk. Weekly garden waste collections will be made every Saturday from 7 April 2018. Choose one of two payment plans.

£75

for 12 months of collections until 31 March 2019

£60

9 months, March to November only

camden.gov.uk/recyclingandrubbish 25

Feature

West End Project underway

Last month, we launched our Clean Air for Camden campaign to tackle air pollution across the borough. We know that air pollution is a major cause of concern for residents. It has a significant impact on our health and accounts for around 9,400 early deaths in London each year. That’s why, in February, we launched our ‘Clean Air for Camden’ campaign with the aim of bringing our community together to improve the air that we breathe across the borough.

These historic Grade II listed street lamps will be removed for restoration

The transformation of the heart of the West End area has now started. Work has now begun on an exciting £35 million project to improve the West End. The project will bring a wealth of benefits to local residents, businesses and visitors. New public spaces, safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians and a reduction in traffic will ensure the area continues to grow and flourish. Improvement works The first of the improvement works began this month. These include: • New granite paving being laid on New Oxford Street by Centre Point. • Removal of pedestrian barriers and traffic light poles from Find out more 26

Tottenham Court Road. • Historic Grade II listed lamp posts – the very first electric street lighting anywhere in London – being carefully removed from Tottenham Court Road for restoration. • 100 trial holes being dug across the project area to understand the road structure. Keep yourself informed The scale of the works means we’ll be working in phases around the West End. In order to deliver the benefits of this ground-breaking project some disruption will be necessary across Tottenham Court Road, Bloomsbury Street,

camden.gov.uk/westendproject

New Oxford Street, St Giles and Princes Circus. You can keep up to date with all the latest news about the works via the West End Project pages on our website. We will be working hard to keep all disruption to a minimum as we make the area safer, greener and more attractive for residents, businesses and visitors.

A special debate was held at a full council meeting in January, which included schools, parents and environmental experts. We became the first London borough to adopt tougher new pollution limits, in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Clean Air for Camden encourages everyone to make a difference towards the air quality in our streets, schools and workplaces. Join our campaign Get involved in our campaign and help to tackle and avoid toxic air by making changes to the way you travel around Camden. These simple actions can help cut pollution: • Walk or cycle where you can and take quieter routes to avoid poor air quality near main roads. • Set up a Play Street to pause traffic in your neighbourhood and provide children with a safer place to play.

• Encourage your local school to develop a pollution-busting School Travel Plan. • Use one of Camden’s new cycle lanes to safely travel around the borough by bicycle. • Join a car club and save on the costs of running your own vehicle. • Don’t engine idle, as it creates pollution hotspots. If you’re waiting in your vehicle, turn the engine off. Show your support and sign the Clean Air for Camden pledge on our website, where you can find out more about our campaign. You can also share your support on Twitter by using the hashtag #CleanAirCamden.

Did you know?

You can also keep yourself fully-informed by signing up to our dedicated West End Project newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, you can also email us at the address listed below.

westendproject@camden.gov.uk

Find out more

camden.gov.uk/airquality

#CleanAirCamden 27

Listings Family Explore zoology Bring along budding zoologists for hands-on specimen-based activities Saturday 17 March, 1 to 4pm Grant Museum of Zoology Rockefeller Building, UCL 21 University Street WC1E 6DE ucl.ac.uk zoology.museum@ucl.ac.uk 020 3108 2052 Family day: busy birds Make a colourful bird from feathers, glitter and streamers Sunday 18 March, 2 to 4pm Keats House 10 Keats Grove NW3 2RR cityoflondon.gov.uk/keats keatshouse@cityoflondon.gov.uk 020 7332 3868 Wondrous libraries! Explore different materials to design your own extraordinary library map. Age five to 11 Free, drop in Saturday 24 March, 1 to 2.30pm Harry M Weinrebe Learning Centre The British Library 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB bl.uk/events boxoffice@bl.uk 01937 546546

Under 5s Little feet: happy feet Celebrate spring with a light-filled session of dance, song and creativity Free, booking essential Thursday 29 March, 10.30am to 12pm Studio, British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8181 britishmuseum.org

Listings

All activities are free unless otherwise specified Rhyme time Songs, rhymes and movement with games, books and toys 30-minute sessions, ages 2 to pre-school. See your local Camden library for days and times camden.gov.uk/libraries 020 7974 4444 Baby bounce Sessions for babies and toddlers up to 18 months. See your local Camden library for days and times camden.gov.uk/libraries 020 7974 4444

Children and young people Friday night project Try parkour, boxing, trampolining, basketball and more. For ages 13 to 16. First Friday of every month, 8 to 10pm £2 per session Talacre Sports Centre Dalby Street NW5 3AF camden.gov.uk/fnp The Hive Emotional health and wellbeing service for ages 16 to 24 Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm 18 Harben Parade, Finchley Road NW3 6JR axis@catch-22.org.uk 020 3198 0520 Term time and holiday play centre for ages 4 to 12 Contact for opening times and costs. Low income and concessionary rates available Hampstead Community Centre 78 Hampstead High Street NW3 1RE hampsteadcommunitycentre. co.uk hampsteadcommunitycentre@ btconnect.com 020 7794 8313

Get active

Green gym

Boccia indoor bowling Fun way to keep fit and meet new people. Fridays, 12.15 to 1.15pm Abbey Community Centre 222c Belsize Road NW6 4DJ ctc@abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk 020 7624 8378

Green Gyms are open to everyone. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear. Tools and refreshments provided.

Get fit, get active, get gardening Gardening sessions led by fully trained staff. Training and equipment provided. Every Wednesday, 10.30am to 2.30pm. Castlehaven Community Association, The Haven, 23 Castlehaven Road NW1 8RU castlehaven.org.uk giles@castlehaven.org.uk 020 7485 3386

Walks Keats in Hampstead guided walk Follow the story of Keats’s life Saturday 24 March, 11am to 1.30pm £12, booking essential Meet outside Hampstead tube station cityoflondon.gov.uk/keats keatshouse@cityoflondon.gov.uk 020 7332 3868 Regent’s Park: women who walk Every Thursday, 10.30 to 11.30am Meet inside Greenlight Pharmacy, 138 Drummond Street, NW1 2PA Regent’s Park: men’s health walk Every Thursday, 11am to 12pm Meet inside Greenlight Pharmacy, 138 Drummond Street, NW1 2PA Hampstead Heath A walk split into groups to cater for all needs, short and long walks available Every Monday, 9.50am to 12pm. Meet at Hampstead Heath Overground Station, South End Road NW3 020 7974 3181 active.health@camden.gov.uk

Tuesday 13 March, 10.45am to 2pm Waterlow Park, Highgate Thursday 15 March, 10.45am to 2pm Spedan Close, Hampstead Tuesday 20 March, 10.45am to 2pm Waterlow Park, Highgate Thursday 22 March, 10.45am to 2pm Regent’s Park Tuesday 27 March, 10.45am to 2pm Ingestre Woods, Tufnell Park Thursday 29 March, 10.45am to 2pm Regent’s Park Tuesday 3 April, 10.45am to 2pm Hampstead Cemetery, West Hampstead Programme information and directions for sites: tcv.org.uk/camden gg-camden@tcv.org.uk 07768 710 359 / 07768 421 881

Over 50s Tech buddies Friendly, trained volunteers on hand to help you use technology to its full potential Saturdays 10am to 12pm Main Hall, Abbey Community Centre, 222c Belsize Road, London NW6 4DJ 07505 933617 chaps@abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk North London Cares weekly social for over 65s Get to know your older and younger neighbours Every Wednesday, 3.30 to 5.30pm Free with refreshments provided Kentish Town Community Centre 17 Busby Place NW5 2SP roxanne.rustem@northlondoncares. org.uk 020 7118 3838

Stroke freedom group For people over 60 who have had a stroke Friday 23 March, 1pm Sidings Community Centre 150 Brassey Road NW6 2BA kove.org.uk mel.wright@kove.org.uk 0753 939 0786

Community events St Patrick’s tea dance Live music, friendly atmosphere Wednesday 14 March, 1.30 to 4.30pm London Irish Centre 50-52 Camden Square NW1 9XB londonirishcentre.org 020 7428 2094 mariaconnolly@londonirishcentre Volunteer Centre Camden drop-in Get help to find local volunteering roles Tuesday 13 March, 12 to 2pm Volunteer Centre Camden 2 Grafton Yard NW5 2ND volunteercentrecamden.org.uk info@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk 020 7424 9990 Women’s cancer support group All patients, relatives and friends welcome First and third Tuesday of the month West Hampstead Women’s Centre 26-30 Cotleigh Road NW6 2NP whwc.org.uk info@whwc.org.uk 020 7328 7389 The Castlehaven Community Horticulture Hub Corner of Hartland Road & Hawley Road, NW1 8DB castlehaven.org.uk info@castlehaven.org.uk 020 7485 3386

Exhibitions and performances Somewhere in between Science, art, or somewhere in between? Wellcome Collection’s spring exhibition 8 March to 27 August Wellcome Collection 183 Euston Road NW1 2BE wellcomecollection.org 020 7611 2222 info@wellcomecollection.org Wac Arts weekender Performance, workshops and discussions by young people in collaboration with professional artists. Mixed bill for all ages Thursday 22 to Saturday 25 March Free to £5 The Old Town Hall 213 Haverstock Hill NW3 4QP wacarts.co.uk zoe.dowler@wacarts.co.uk 020 7692 5800 Afternoon Poems: Bells, Bells, Bells Poetry reading featuring bells for all occasions. Booking recommended. Sunday 11 March, 2 to 3pm Keats House 10 Keats Grove NW3 2RR cityoflondon.gov.uk/keats keatshouse@cityoflondon.gov.uk 020 7332 3868 Cook’s Camden Exhibition from 5 February to 27 April Camden Local Studies & Archives Centre, 2nd Floor, Holborn Library 32-38 Theobalds Road WC1X 8PA camden.gov.uk/history localstudies@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 6342

Event details may change. Check with the organiser before you attend.

Want to have your event listed here? Email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk to make a request. Space is limited and we prioritise free and low-cost community events. 28

Feature

My Camden

Celebrating women in sport Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Camden Active is shining the spotlight on some inspiring Camden women who are empowering others to lead active lives.

Sophie Fogarty (above, wearing orange) started playing football in Camden at the age of nine, before her first big break with QPR Ladies. She then moved to Chelsea Ladies where she reached her highest achievement making her debut against Arsenal Ladies. Sophie developed the technical side of her game, and now coaches eight Camden girls’ football teams and is a volunteer mentor on the Sports Education and Training Programme at Talacre Community Sports Centre. Sophie told Camden magazine: “Across Camden, the number of girls playing football is growing and it’s amazing to see more girls than ever enjoying the game. My aim is to keep this momentum going and encourage even more girls to take part.”

Find out more 30

Tasneem Hussain, was struggling to keep active due to health issues. Through the Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre and Camden Active, Tasneem has found a new love of swimming, and now volunteers to support others attending women-only swimming at Pancras Square Leisure Centre. Before these sessions, Tasneem didn’t have the confidence to go swimming but has now found a group of friends who motivate each other. She said: “It’s amazing to see that the ladies who really needed a lot of encouragement from the group to attend at the start, are now able to go by themselves. You can see how it’s improved our confidence.” I recommend this, especially for women from the Bangladeshi community, for those who aren’t able to get physically active due to lack of confidence and religious reasons. This session removes all the obstacles.”

better.org.uk/camden

camden.gov.uk/active

Eighty-year-old Annie McGrath (above, second from left) recently became a Walk Leader on Hampstead Heath, as she has always enjoyed that area. Annie is a full-time carer and wanted to give back to the Camden Carers community. She now leads a weekly walk for carers from across the borough. Annie said: “Camden Carers has always been good to us, so I wanted to give something back by becoming a walk leader. It’s wonderful that we have such good companionship within the group and it’s such an easy way to keep active, even in the golden years!” To help celebrate International Women’s Day there will be a number of free, women-only activities at Kentish Town Sports Centre, Oasis Sports Centre and Pancras Square Leisure including yoga, swimming and gym sessions. Drop into your nearest centre for information, or visit the website below.

Mary Burd is the new chair of Age UK Camden, a local organisation that supports older people in the borough.

What’s your Camden connection?

have little or no family, and without our services they would be very lonely and socially isolated.

My husband lived in Gloucester Avenue, Camden Town as a student in the early 1960s. I moved there when we got married and we bought a house nearby a couple of years later. I’ve lived in Camden for 55 years and on this same street for 53 years.

What makes Age UK Camden special?

Tell us about Age UK Camden and your work with them When I retired I didn’t want to give up work entirely, and decided to work with an organisation related to my own demographic. Age UK Camden is an amazing organisation with over 400 volunteers working to deliver local services to older vulnerable people including befriending, counselling, information and advice, digital training and two resource centres. Many of the people it helps

We’re all going to get old and people are living longer, so it’s important to support organisations that are there for older people. At Age UK Camden we believe older people have something to contribute. In all our projects people are consulted about what they want. We help them to feel part of the community and give them confidence that they are valued and have something to offer.

Favourite places in Camden I love the street that I live on, in Camden Town. Many people have lived on this street for 20 to 30 years and there’s a tremendously strong sense of community. We started a carnival on our street in the early ‘70s

which was one of the first of its kind and still continues to this day.

What makes Camden special? The people and the close-knit communities. It’s full of diversity – it’s a microcosm of the best parts of London. We have great museums, world-class institutions like the Francis Crick Institute and the British Library, and excellent London-wide and national transport links.

Most memorable thing to happen to you in Camden? I’ve celebrated all my big milestones in Camden. My daughter was born at University College Hospital in Euston and went to school at Primrose Hill and Haverstock. I bought her first cot for five pence at Inverness Street Market!

Do you know someone who has strong community connections in Camden that we should profile? Email camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk to tell us more. Find out more

ageuk.org.uk/camden

020 7239 0400 31

On Thursday 3 May, Camden will go to the polls for local elections. All British, Commonwealth and European Citizens aged 18 and over can vote, so make sure you register.

If you are not registered to vote, you can do so online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. The deadline for registering is Tuesday 17 April.

camden.gov.uk/elections